Dr. Murray Feingold: The economy and your health

The economic downturn has significantly affected most aspects of our lives, and this includes our health and health care.

Dr. Murray Feingold

The economic downturn has significantly affected most aspects of our lives, and this includes our health and health care.

I am afraid it will get worse before it gets better.

For the first time, many people are becoming concerned about their financial stability. This is a new experience for them and they are worried about their future. Such concerns can lead to emotional stress and depression.

Some middle-class parents are now wondering if they can adequately provide for their children, a concern they never previously considered.

As layoffs increase, the loss of health insurance will follow, and this could be devastating. Also, being unemployed can have a significant emotional effect on the person who is no longer working.

In the bigger health picture, government spending on research and programs that support clinical care may be drastically decreased. That means a slowdown in medical advances that are so important in the development of new therapies.

The health-care system was in disarray prior to this economic downturn, and it is very possible it may get even worse. There are already reports that people are skipping visits to their doctors and not buying needed medications.

But enough doom and gloom.

Yes, we will have to tighten our belts, but the country has been through this before and survived. In order to survive, you need to be more proactive concerning your health.

For example, it doesn't cost any money to start you own exercise program. Eat healthier foods. Usually, nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables are less costly than less healthy foods such as steaks. And eat less, thus losing some unneeded pounds. It's a good time to eliminate consuming those high-caloric desserts.

So, let's be both positive and realistic during these difficult economic times.

You can save money and at the same time become healthier by practicing preventative medicine.

And by the time these financial difficulties turn around - and they will - you will be in much better shape to enjoy the benefits of an improved economy.

Massachusetts-based Dr. Murray Feingold is the physician in chief of the National Birth Defects Center, medical editor of WBZ-TV and WBZ radio, and president of the Genesis Fund. The Genesis Fund is a nonprofit organization that funds the care of children born with birth defects, mental retardation and genetic diseases.

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